Some pet owners will tell you they are “dog people.” Other will quickly declare they are “cat people.”
A few, like my better half Pam and myself, enjoy the companionship of both. Both cats and dogs can bring you years of happiness and any animal fortunate to be in our care will always be taken care of.
Our latest venture is Andi, a rather quickly growing black female cat. Andi (named for cable news host Anderson Cooper — Andy became Andi after we learned our new addition was a she rather than a he) still has plenty of kitten in her even though she has passed the six-month mark now.
Cat toys of all shapes and varieties can be seen (and found) in shoe boxes on the floor, under the couch, under the recliner, under the stove, under the refrigerator and pretty much anywhere else that makes you wonder just how it the world it a cat toy could end up in such a location.
However, it’s the simplest of things that seem to fascinate Andi the most. A recent box which arrived at the house provided a place for Andi to hide in. She likes to lift her head just above the top, thinking we cannot see her.
Another one of her favorite “toys” is a roasted peanut, shell and all. Back and forth she will swat it on the floor. I’m not sure if she thinks she’s a hockey player or a soccer player. Peanuts have been found all over the house as Andi has even been known to circle our dog Katie after she had decided to take a nap on one of her peanut shells.
Recently, however, Andi pulled another first. During lunch, our wonder cat creeped up on the table and grabbed a piece of broccoli from Pam’s salad. “Surely, a cat would not eat broccoli,” I thought.
Well, I was half right. Andi proceeded to eat half the piece of broccoli and then promptly turn the remainder of it into a toy. Back and forth she was bat it as it would slide across the kitchen floor.
Later she picked the remaining half piece of broccoli up in her mouth and made her way into the den. It ended up under a lamp table. The fact that it has a cloth hanging down made it that much more fun for the wonder cat. Half playing with the broccoli and half playing with the table cover, Andi was entertained for quite some time. For Pam and I, it wasn’t a chore to go outside without her making a faster than lightning dash for the door.
All store bought toys were ignored as the half eaten piece of broccoli became the sole attention for Andi. Just when we thought she was finished playing with it, Andi would summon up more energy and begin having another cat fit.
Eventually, Pam decided to convenscate the broccoli while Andi was momentarily distracted.
Perhaps Andi was considering joining Stewie Griffin’s army on The Family Guy. For those of you who watch the show you may remember Stewie so hated broccoli he decided to build a weather altering device to make it so cold broccoli could no longer grow. “Death to you broccoli,” Stewie said.
I had to laugh when I thought of the mischief Andi and Stewie could get into. All the time our ever faithful dog Katie just snored, ignoring the proceedings, probably glad Andi wasn’t searching for her lost peanut shell under her.
Life with both a dog and cat can be downright interesting and laughable at times. Just ask Andi the wonder cat and her half eaten piece of broccoli.
Chris Bridges is an editor with Mainstreet Newspapers. E-mail comments about this column to chris@mainstreetnews.com.
